Hammon spent some time around the Spurs during last season's run to the championship, and coach Gregg Popovich says she made a strong impression. Popovich says he's "confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs."

Hammon plans to retire from the San Antonio Stars after this season. She joins South Carolina assistant Lisa Boyer, who served on John Lucas's staff in Cleveland in 2001-02, as women to coach in the NBA.